Certified Rhythm Analysis Technician (CRAT) Practice Exam

The Holter (ambulatory) monitor is the correct choice for an outpatient setting because it is specifically designed to continuously record the electrical activity of the heart for a prolonged period, typically 24 to 48 hours. This extended monitoring allows healthcare providers to capture data on a patient's heart rhythm during their normal daily activities, providing valuable information for diagnosing arrhythmias or other cardiac conditions that may not be detected during a standard, short-term ECG.

In contrast, a treadmill test monitor is primarily used for stress testing and is not suitable for outpatient monitoring in a real-life context. Telemetry monitors are indeed used for continuous monitoring but are more common in hospital settings where patients are under close observation. The 12-lead ECG provides a snapshot of the heart's activity at a specific moment and would typically be performed in a clinical setting, not continuously in an outpatient environment. The Holter monitor’s ability to capture a comprehensive picture of heart activity over an extended period makes it the most appropriate choice for outpatient use.